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Romantic Rhine

8 Day River Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam with Avalon

Read 45 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Avalon's 8 Day Romantic Rhine. One of Europe's most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and stops in France, Germany, and Holland! Board your vessel in Basel,...read more Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, located at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you'll find the gateway to Germany's Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you'll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg's castle, towering magnificently over the city, and stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum.

Next up is the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see the impressive collection of historical self-playing instruments. You'll pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge - the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne - a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

As an exclamation point to this wonderful Rhine river cruise, you'll spend time in Holland's popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. There is much to do with the world-famous museums and abundance of restaurants amongst the classic architecture and charming canals. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city's "Golden Age."

Romantic Rhine

8 Day River Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam with Avalon

Read 45 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Avalon's 8 Day Romantic Rhine. One of Europe's most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and stops in France, Germany, and Holland! Board your vessel in Basel,...read more Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, located at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you'll find the gateway to Germany's Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you'll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg's castle, towering magnificently over the city, and stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum.

Next up is the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see the impressive collection of historical self-playing instruments. You'll pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge - the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne - a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

As an exclamation point to this wonderful Rhine river cruise, you'll spend time in Holland's popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. There is much to do with the world-famous museums and abundance of restaurants amongst the classic architecture and charming canals. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city's "Golden Age."

Itinerary

Flights into Zurich must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be onboard the ship by 5 pm. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board. EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

2 Breisach, Germany Excursion To Black Forest

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest. Classic - Visit the charming village of Colmar on a Guided Tour of its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, OR: Discovery - Join a full-day Guided Excursion to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional Bavarian butter-making demonstration. Explore on your own this afternoon taking a bike from the ship or hiking up to St. Stephan's Cathedral. EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B/L/D)

3 Strasbourg, France

Gothic Giants, Military Marvels & Varietal Vintages. Classic - Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city's gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the splendid Alsace wine country, or to the historic Maginot Line-an impressive installation of pre-WWII defensive fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France. Alternatively, enjoy a free afternoon sampling the local cuisine in Place Kleber, or pay a visit to one of Strasbourg's many wonderful museums. EVENING CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B/L/D)

4 Ludwigshafen, Germany - Heidelberg Excursion

Castle Walls and the World's Biggest Barrel of Wine. Classic - Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the "World's Largest Wine Barrel," OR: Active - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a hike up Philosophers' Way for an inspiring view of the city below. Enjoy a brief cruise to Mainz this afternoon. MAINZ: Turning the Pages of History. Classic - Enjoy a Guided City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B/L/D)

5 Rudesheim - Rhine Gorge

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country. Discovery - Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience, OR: Active - Take a Guided Hike through the vineyards with your Adventure Host, and enjoy the view with a cable car ride back down. Discovery - Based on your departure, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting. Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei-where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. KOBLENZ: Travel Through 2000 Years Of Monumental History. Classic - Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares and monuments. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ (B/L/D)

Colourful Amsterdam-with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden Age. Classic - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age." During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

8 Amsterdam (Disembark)

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

1 Basel, Switzerland (Embarkation)

Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zurich must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be onboard the ship by 5 pm. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board. EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

2 Breisach, Germany. Excursion To Black Forest

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest Discovery - Visit to Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany's southernmost wine country in Baden-ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners'process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting, OR: Discovery - Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernhof open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration. Follow your visit to Badische Winzerkeller with a free afternoon in Breisach. EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B/L/D)

3 Strasbourg, France

Gothic Giants, Petite France, and Varietal Vintages Classic - Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg's s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the splendid Alsace wine country, or a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. Alternatively, enjoy a free afternoon sampling the local cuisine in Place Kleber. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B/L/D)

4 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Excursion To Heidelberg

Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Barrel of Wine Classic - Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the "World's Largest Wine Barrel," OR: Active - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers'Way for an inspiring view of the city below. Alternatively enjoy a brief cruise to Mainz this afternoon and join our included tour. MAINZ Turning the Pages of History Classic - Enjoy a Guided City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B/L/D)

5 Rudesheim - Rhine Gorge

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country Discovery - Based on your departure, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting. Discovery - Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience, OR: Active - Take a Guided Hike through the vineyards with your Adventure Host, and enjoy the view with a cable car ride back down. Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei-where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. KOBLENZ Travel Through 2000 Years Of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ (B/L/D)

6 Cologne

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Classic - Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR: Discovery - Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites. Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

7 Amsterdam, Holland

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam Classic - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age." During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional City Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

8 Amsterdam (Disembarkation)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Avalon Inclusions

Avalon Suite Ships

Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more

Our Vision. Your View

With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more

Exclusive Meets Inclusive

Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious rivercruise experience. Read more

You First

Avalon's attentive staff aboard each vessel will make you feel right at home. You'll be taken care of every step of the way. Read more

Avalon Choice

Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more

From View to Table

Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more

Pretty towns with decorated stores everywhere. A great variety of quality keepsakes instead of the usual stuff. Had plenty of time to explore the town or stop for coffee and cake. Townfolk warm and welcoming and good sense of humour. Wear good walking shoes as most streets have the original cobble stones. Avalon staff were thoughtful and professional. Food on the ship was fantastic and changed each day.

Our expectations were reasonably high but this trip exceeded them all. Jemma at Global Journeys made the booking process a breeze and Avalon delivered on all occasions. The staff were exceptional, Nico, the Tour Manager, couldn't have been more accommodating or well organised. I have no problem in recommending this cruise.

What a way to finish a trip of a life time! We had spent the previous 4 weeks on coach and train tours so this river cruise was the perfect way to end our holiday! The Avalon team on the ship were so good - the ship and cabins were kept spotless, the food was delicious, city tours were informative, the sights amazing not to mention the pure pleasure of being able to lay in bed and watch the beautiful countryside glide by! A big thank you to Yvonne who found and suggested this cruise that fitted...read more in nicely with our other tours - it was the perfect end to our holiday!

We had a wonderful time travelling the Rhine. Our ship was a joy to stay on. The cabin was small but we were only in it to shower and sleep after busy exciting days ashore. Avalon were a great company to travel with, supportive and helpful. The crew were always willing to ensure we experienced a happy holiday.

Trip Notes Trip prices are per person, and reflect applicable discounts. Discounts are subject to availability, exclusive to Global Journeys and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change by Avalon. Full terms & conditions are available here.